Every morning before school is like torture for my 3 yr dd. Well actually it's every morning when she has to get dress and go some where. It has nothing to do with being early and doesn't want to wake up because shool starts at 9 a.m and and any appts or ect is always schedule later. The problem is she doesn't want to where clothes.

She refuses to get dress and keep the clothes on herself. I just wrestled with her a half hr ago, got her dress, left to get my ds dress too and when I came back 5 min later she was undress. She cries and screams and throws tantrums when it comes to clothes. We bought her new clothes and tried them on her and let her have some say so in what she wanted so that way she's comfortable. Nope, she perfers just panties.

We are now late for school. The only reason I'm on here and not trying to rush out the door is because ds (11 months) got cranky so im bf'ing him to sleep.

I've tried time outs and I feel like i'm being punish when she is on time out. I've tried talking to her in a firm and assertive voice. I've tried explaining why she needs clothes. Only thing that works is when my DH, her dad steps in. She listens and obeys him, she still cries but still gets dress. I've tried mimicking him. Well as you can tell no luck. Please any more suggestions?

Replies

Be consistent. Time outs for not listening to mommy. Only 3 minutes though she will probably fight you in the beginning and it will seem like hours. Has she always had problems with wearing clothes or is it a recent thing ? Have you noticed if she does better with dresses or pants? You could also try with the time outs a positive chart where she gets a sticker for each day she keeps her clothing on. After 7 stickers, she can pick out a trinket at the store or go to ice cream shop.

Knock on wood I have never had to deal with this. I say being consistent and sticking with the time outs are a must. You are the parent and she is the child. Control of the situation is a must. If she cooperates during the week then she gets an extra book read to her or 10 extra mins to play before bed time.

The night before give her a choice of two different outfits, this way she has some say in what she is wearing. Keep "fun" things that she can only see while she is in the car, this way she looks forward to her special toy. A picture book is great for this and you can pick up a variety of them cheap at the dollar store.

That's what I was going to say too. Does she have any other sensory issues? Does she have meltdowns that just seem extreme compared to other kids? Does she have problems eating foods with certain textures, knowing if she's hot/cold, knowing when she's hungry/full? Knowing if she has to urinate? Is she senstive to lights, smells, or sounds that others seem to ignore?

They say that most people have some sensory problems. If it's just clothes I wouldn't worry too much but if it starts to interfeer with her life check into it.

Something that helped my SPD kid was heating his clothes in the dryer before he put them on. If he didn't get them on quickly they would be cold too bad. He got dressed quickly because he wanted them warm!

Quoting marisab:

shes sounds sensory and clothes may be irritating talk to dr about sensory processing disorder